A two-day workshop on “Sustainable Agro-Ecotourism for A&N Islands: Opportunities and Challenges” to commemorate International Bio-diversity day organized by Andaman Science Association (ASA), ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair in collaboration with Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Anthropological Survey of India (ASI), National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Fishery Survey of India (FSI), Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology Department of tourism A&N Administration with financial support from NABARD, Port Blair was inaugurated today.
Speaking on the occasion the Chief Guest Dr. Jatinder Sohal, DANICS, Director (IP&T), A&N Administration, said that A & N Islands has evolved as the best destination not only at National but also International level. He exhorted that tourists should be made responsible tourist; besides he advocated introducing the concept of countryside visit which is gaining more popularity elsewhere due to its exposure to sustainable practices that is local culture, food, and behaviour.
The Guest of Honour, Smti. Archana Singh, General Manager, NABARD, Port Blair, stressed that ANI has become the choicest place of visit and should capitalize on it. The sensitivity of the local inhabitants towards cleanliness is USP of ANI. She advocated that NABARD can facilitate launching of “My District My Project” to promote Agro eco-tourism in a team mode. She referred to the introduction of showcasing the local culture of ANI as that of Rajasthan local culture Chokhi Dahni.
The President, ASA and Director, ICAR-CIARI, Dr. E.B. Chakurkar while expressing his happiness on promoting agro eco-tourism in these island informed that conservation has to be the top priority along with local food, flora, fauna, climate change, population pressure etc. He defined that agro eco-tourism is a symbiotic association of farming sector, tourism industry and farm business for sustainable production with three key concepts i.e. something to see, something to do and something to buy and sell. Dr. Chakurkar emphasised that paid customized training program can be organized by CIARI in participatory mode for the benefit of the people. Later, he delivered a special talk to mark the International Bio-diversity day on the topic “Role of Agro eco-tourism in conserving the Island ecosystem.
The workshop was attended by approximately 105 participants from Development Department, students of BBA, JNRM, Progressive farmers, Entrepreneurs, Scientist, Tourism vehicle owner association and other stakeholders.
(Source: ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair)
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